[NorthMountain]

Well ... that cute little fable is the official story.

You can believe as much of it as you like.

[Milton Miteybad]

Occam's Razor says it's the most likely explanation. Especially since then-Cardinal Ratzinger had in fact intended to retire at the age of 75 (having submitted his resignation as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith three times) due to age-related health issues, but stayed on in that post at the request of Pope John Paul II.

Clearly, Pope Benedict had been considering retirement long before he was elevated to the Papacy.

Now, I know there are a whole boatload of ignorant sniveling morons out there who want to conjure some conspiracy out of Pope Benedict's resignation. And I know you'll want to do everything in your power to avoid being one of them. ;-)